It finished where it had all started. 
FULL STORY | Valeron announces retirement at the age of 40
Valeron was never quick, but possessed a speed of thought, an eye for the perfect pass. A ballerina on the football field, he made his teams dance to his tune and often left rivals floored by his briiliance.
It was at Deportivo La Coruna where he is most fondly remembered. After spells at Mallorca and Atletico Madrid, Valeron spent 13 seasons at Riazor, the first few as part of the superb Super Depor side that challenged the big boys both at home and in Europe, the final years as a shining light in a struggling side.
Injuries also interrupted his career, but Valeron never complained - not even when he was sidelined by a criminal challenge by Valladolid's Juan Manuel Pena in 2002. The Bolivian defender was severely criticised by the Spanish press, but his victim simply said: "That's football. And he is suffering too."
Valeron returned to local club Las Palmas in 2013 at the age of 38, helping his boyhood team to promotion at the second time of asking and then staying for a sole season in La Liga. One final farewell for one of Spain's most-liked footballers. One of the good guys.
The attacking midfielder, who played 46 times for Spain and scored five times for La Roja, was given a spectacular send-off in what turned out to be his final appearance for Las Palmas at home in the goalless game against Athletic Bilbao last weekend.
The 40-year-old started that match in midfield and gave some last glimpses of his tremendous technique before he departed after 72 minutes to a standing ovation and was applauded again following the final whistle, launched into the air by his team-mates amid jubilant scenes.
"It's a historic moment for the club, for Spanish football," coach Quique Setien said after the game. "He has symbolised so many things on so many levels. An extraordinary footballer and an extraordinary person is leaving us - and there is so much emotion."
Las Palmas lost 4-1 to Malaga in their last Liga game of the season on Sunday and Valeron played no part at all in that one. But perhaps it was for the best - because his emotional farewell in front of his fans, many of who had seen him more than two decades ago in the same club colours, was a fitting finale for one of the game's greats.
And as pace, power and physique assume added importance in the modern era, Spanish football may never see his like again.
- Goal